Fairview, Blue Cross of Minnesota sign new contract

A day before their contract was due to expire, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Fairview Health Services signed an agreement that runs through 2009. The new contract ends the uncertainty for tens of thousands of Blue Cross members who had been told they might soon have to find doctors outside of Fairview or pay higher out-of-network charges. Blue Cross is the state's biggest health insurer, and Fairview is the third-largest clinic and hospital group in the state.